1. Overview

1.1 Acadia are committed to providing the highest standard of safeguarding. The safety of our students and Tutors is our paramount concern.

2. Legislation

2.1 Our policies have been developed to ensure we comply with all relevant safeguarding legislation.

2.2 This safeguarding policy should be read in conjunction with our Terms and Conditions.

3. Aims of Policy

3.1 Acadia seeks to provide the best service possible and provide a safe experience in which children can learn.

3.2 This policy aims to ensure we safeguard all users of Acadia (including Students and Tutors) whilst they engage with our Lessons.

3.3 This policy outlines the responsibilities of all users of Acadia (including Students and Tutors) and it is important that all have familiarised themselves with this policy and our Terms and Conditions.

3.4 Alongside this policy, users of Acadia (including Students and Tutors) must comply with the The Tutors' Association Child Protection Policy, whether or not they are a member of The Tutors' Association, and all relevant legislation and government guidance.

3.5 If any User has a concern regarding child protection, they must contact Acadia immediately.

3.6 Contravention of any of the terms contained within this policy may result in immediate removal of access to and permanent barring from our services.

4. Acadia Responsibilities

4.1 Acadia will decide when a Tutor’s profile is sufficiently complete to be added to the Website.

4.2 Acadia will use reasonable endeavours to check the identity of all Tutors.

4.3 Acadia do not require every Tutor to have a background check to be a tutor. Acadia will use reasonable endeavours to check the background checks of Tutors with Background Checked Status. “Background Checked Status” means a Tutor displaying ‘DBS checked’ on their profile page on the Website. Background checks must have been awarded within 2 years of the date on which a Tutor creates an account on the Website, and within 3 years at any point in time thereafter. Within these time frames, background checks will be accepted if they are an enhanced check provided by the Disclosure and Barring Service, Disclosure Scotland or Access Northern Ireland. Acadia cannot verify any claim made by Tutors within their profile or in any other communication which relates to them having a valid background check other than through the awarding of the “Background Checked Status”. It is entirely at the Student’s discretion as to whether they determine having a background check is part of their selection criteria.

4.4 Acadia will deal with reports of possible illegal activity promptly, focusing on the safety and wellbeing of Users. Acadia will allow access to UK law enforcement of any recording where a criminal offence may have occurred in relation to a specific Lesson.

4.5 Acadia will endeavour to ensure Complaints are considered promptly and in accordance with our Terms and Conditions.

4.6 Acadia will regularly review this policy and our Terms and Conditions to ensure they are best suited to safeguarding all users.

4.7 No tutor sessions should be recorded under any circumstances.

5. Student Responsibilities

5.1 Students must be at least 18 years old to book a Tutor for themselves or another learner. Learners under the age of 18 must be represented by a parent or legal guardian who gives consent for them to receive tuition. Acadia is not responsible for any dispute regarding parental consent.

5.2 Students must ensure that all of their personal details and contact information are accurate and up-to-date.

5.3 Students must ensure that there is no inappropriate communication between themselves, a Learner they represent and the Tutor outside the tutoring session and report any unsolicited communications from the Tutor if appropriate.

5.4 Any Student who is the parent of a Learner under the age of 18 who has a Lesson with a Tutor should not leave the child in the sole care of that Tutor. They must be available for the Learner to report any inappropriate behaviour or concerns. Learners must report any concerns to a parent or legal guardian immediately.

5.5 Students must ensure the physical environment is safe.

5.6 Students must ensure that Tutors are treated with respect and are not subjected to abusive behaviour or language.

5.7 Students must ensure no improper suggestions are made to, or by, the Tutor.

5.8 Students are responsible for their own security in conjunction with our services, both online and offline.

5.9 Students must report any Complaint in line with our Terms and Conditions

5.10 Students must report any safeguarding concerns or illegal activity immediately and in line with our Terms and Conditions.

5.11 No tutor sessions should be recorded under any circumstances.

6. Tutor Responsibilities

6.1 Tutors are not employees of Acadia and are solely responsible for their own actions both on and off the Website.

6.2 If Tutors contact Students who are under 18, they must ensure that these Students are represented by a parent or legal guardian who gives consent for the Student to receive tuition.

6.3 Tutors may cancel Lessons if no parent or legal guardian is present during a Lesson with a Learner who is under 18 and they or the Learner do not feel comfortable to continue.

6.4 Tutors are responsible for ensuring that the personal information they provide and their personal statements on the Website are accurate and in no way misleading. They must update this information promptly via email to Acadia to maintain its accuracy.

6.5 Tutors are solely responsible for the material they or the Learner they represent given to the student, including messages sent, and they must not send defamatory, offensive or illegal material.

6.6 Tutors must immediately report to Acadia any defamatory, offensive or illegal material they receive from a student.

6.7 Tutors must disclose any criminal convictions or cautions they may have to Acadia, including any criminal convictions or cautions received at any time after having registered as a tutor with Acadia and for as long as the Tutor remains registered.

6.8 Tutors must disclose any other relevant information which may lead Acadia to determine they are not suitable to tutor.

6.9 Tutors claiming Background Checked Status must meet the requirements set out in the Terms and Conditions

6.10 Tutors must use their own judgement about whether they wish to offer their tuition services to each individual Student.

6.11 Tutors must take every precaution to ensure that they work in a safe environment and are responsible for taking out and maintaining their own insurance policies to cover the work they undertake.

6.12 Tutors must ensure that their environment does not display any inappropriate images or documents when conducting a session.

6.13 Tutors must treat students fairly and without prejudice or discrimination; whatever their age, culture, ability, gender, language, racial origin, religious belief and/or sexual identity.

6.14 Tutors must ensure all reasonable steps are taken to protect children from harm, discrimination and demeaning treatment and to respect their rights.

6.15 Tutors must value students and take their contributions seriously.

6.16 Tutors must ensure they work in partnership with parents and children – which is essential for the protection of children.

6.17 Tutors must ensure the language they use is appropriate and not offensive or discriminatory.

6.18 Tutors must ensure no improper suggestions are made to, or by, the Student.

6.19 Tutors must ensure that any contact or communication they have with the Student is appropriate to their role as a Tutor and confined to the field for which they have been selected to tutor.

6.20 Tutors must ensure that there is no inappropriate communication between themselves and the Student in or outside of the tutoring sessions and report any unsolicited communications from the Student if appropriate.

6.21 Tutors are responsible for their own security, both online and offline.

6.22 Tutors must report any Complaint in line with our Terms and Conditions

6.23 Tutors must report any safeguarding concerns or illegal activity immediately to Tutorful.

6.24 No tutor sessions should be recorded under any circumstances.

7. Parent/Responsible adult responsibilities

7.1 The parent/responsible adult will be responsible for the selection of the tutor and make any reasonable checks to ensure the tutor is suitable for the student (including, if required, reviewing the tutor’s CRB/DBS certification documentation).

7.2 The parent/responsible adult will ensure the student is fully aware of the Acadia’s Safeguarding Policy.

7.3 The parent/responsible adult will always be responsible for the welfare of the student during the session.

7.4 The parent/responsible adult will always be responsible for the physical environment of the pupil during the session ensuring it is safe and appropriate.

7.5 The parent/responsible adult will if they consider it appropriate, be present or available during a tutor session so any concerns encountered by the student can be reported as soon as possible and ensure the student and tutor are behaving in an appropriate manner.

7.6 The parent/responsible adult will ensure that tutors will be treated with respect and fairness by the student and will not be subjected to abusive behaviour or language.

7.7 The parent/responsible adult will ensure that no improper suggestions are made by either the tutor or student.

7.8 The parent/responsible adult will ensure the student has no inappropriate communication with the tutor outside the Online messaging and lesson sessions.

7.9 The parent/responsible adult will report any unsolicited communications between the tutor and student if appropriate.

7.10 The parent/responsible adult will report any dispute with a tutor to Acadia in accordance with procedures set out in this document.

7.11 The parent/responsible adult will report any inappropriate behaviour or illegal activity by a tutor in accordance with procedures set out in this document.

7.12 No tutor sessions should be recorded under any circumstances.

8. Reported Breach

8.1 Any Student or Tutor reported for a breach of our Safeguarding Policy will be immediately suspended from tutoring sessions until the matter reported has been investigated by the appropriate authority. We will inform them of their suspension and seek guidance where required. The Student or Tutor reporting the breach may be informed of the resolution, if appropriate.

8.2 Acadia reserves the right to make a final decision on action taken for minor breaches of our Safeguarding Policy.

8.3 Any Student or Tutor reported for illegal activity whilst using Acadia services may be barred from the service, reported to the police and any other relevant organisations.

1. Updating our Policies and Procedures

9.1 This Safeguarding Policy and our Procedures will be reviewed by Acadia on a regular basis to ensure it is adequate and relevant to safeguarding standards.